29 Vanilla Desserts That Are Anything But Boring

This soda fountain staple tastes just like childhood. Toppings like whipped cream and a maraschino cherry are classic, but you can crush up your favorite candy bar or go crazy with sprinkles as well.

We’re in support of a store-bought shortcut when time is, well, short, but nothing can compare to the rich sweetness of homemade pudding, alone or as part of a separate dessert recipe.

This classic Vanilla Pound Cake can be topped with anything to make it your own. Fresh berries, a chocolate glaze, homemade whipped cream—the options are endless.

If you have an event coming up that you want a wow-worthy dessert for, this trifle can be made in stages ahead of time and even tastes better if it’s assembled a night before. 

This tender cupcakes are the perfect base for any frosting recipe. Our Fresh Raspberry-Cream Cheese Frosting would add some beautiful color to them. 

When the spring and early summer farmers’ markets are bursting with fresh strawberries, this gorgeous layer cake should be on your list to make. 

Our vanilla version of the classic yule log cake, which is usually chocolate, makes for a beautiful holiday centerpiece. 

If you want a no-frills, traditional vanilla frosting recipe, this is your guide! Add mix-ins like sprinkles, crushed candy bars, or fresh fruit for color and flavor. 

Only fresh vanilla bean pods, not extract, will yield the most natural and delicious vanilla flavor for this ice cream recipe. It’s perfect for pairing with your favorite summer cobbler recipe. 

When that sweet tooth won’t quit, whip up this precious mug cake in a flash. It makes for cute presentation for a luncheon or shower as well. 

This Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream has much more intense vanilla flavor than classic whipped cream. We use it to top our New-Fashioned Banana Pudding and Banana Pudding Pie, but it would be delicious on any number of desserts. 

Even the Southern Living Test Kitchen uses a box of cake mix every now and then! This celebratory recipe tastes like it’s totally from scratch. 

With just six ingredients, you can make this famous dessert from home. Top with fresh whipped cream and berries for a photo finish. 

It’s all in the name with this recipe, y’all. Even novice bakers can prepare a beautiful homemade layer cake with this easy recipe. 

This classic recipe has white cake and vanilla frosting, both with sprinkles for a colorful addition. A tip from the Test Kitchen, though: Clear vanilla extract is essential in this recipe for providing the nostalgic flavor of a classic birthday cake. Do not use pure vanilla extract, as the flavor will be very different. 

Shake, shake, shake! This homemade ice cream recipe is the perfect summer afternoon activity for the kids. Set up a toppings bar for them to create their ultimate ice cream sundae. 

This from-scratch poke cake is going to be a new spring essential in your kitchen. A toasted vanilla meringue topping is so much more gorgeous than regular frosting. 

We created this towering beauty with the holidays in mind, but you can make vanilla pavlova any time of year. With vanilla bean meringues, homemade vanilla custard, and whipped cream, this dessert has multiple layers of vanilla flavor. 

This boozy cake is a celebration all its own! Our Test Kitchen gives instructions for how to make it into a sheet cake, Bundt cake, or cupcakes for easier execution than a towering layer cake, too. 

Both the cookie dough and the baked cookies freeze beautifully for this recipe, so you can have a simple sweet treat on hand at all times. 

Sugared Cranberries are the cutest topper for this holiday layer cake, but you don’t need major decorating skills for it to look cover-worthy. 

Top these light vanilla layers with cream cheese buttercream for a rich finish.

Fresh strawberries add spring sweetness to this layered cake.

Crush vanilla wafers to make the crunchy crust on this sweet banana cream pie.

Popularized in the ’60s, this bundt has a hidden brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecan surprise on the inside and a vanilla glaze on the outside.

Add vanilla buttercream to half of these sprinkle cookies to make adorable sandwich desserts.

Vanilla bean cheesecake is elevated with a glassy, brûléed top.

Creamy toffee frosting coats this delicious vanilla layer cake.

Top this winter squash filling with our vanilla bean custard and candied pecans.